Professional Coin Grading Service

Expert Comments:After last year’s awards, we began recognizing those sets which have won a gold award for five years in a row. Some collectors choose to build awarding winning sets and then retire them within a few years. But many collectors are building their sets for the true love of the hobby. They assemble their sets with dedication and passion, to enjoy for years to come. It is these collectors whose sets have remained in the number one position who are honored at the Platinum level this year. No longer in contention for gold, these 29 sets are simply the best of the best. For 2014 we are also inducting three Hall of Fame collections, and awarding 154 Gold level sets and 3,107 “Best of the Registry” sets. To all winners we say, “Congratulations!” And to all participants in the PCGS Set Registry we thank you for sharing your wonderful collections with us!

David Hall
Collectors Universe President, PCGS Founder

2014 PLATINUM LEVEL SETS

The Platinum level is awarded to currently active sets and collections which have won gold five years in a row and continue to be ranked number one. While no longer in contention for Gold, these sets deserve recognition for their high level of numismatic excellence.

High Desert -Complete U.S. Type Set, Circulation Strikes (1792-1964)
(Note that the award includes the 4 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.)A complete 133-piece U.S. Type set with an average grade of 64.9! This of course includes the Chain Cent, 1792 Half Disme, 1796 Quarter, 1796-97 Half Dollar, 1796 No Stars $2.50, Capped Bust $5 (small size) and a host of other extremely tough type coins. While quite a few Set Registry categories are quite competitive, the High Desert Set utterly dominates this area, with the runner-up’s set rating trailing by over 28 points! It is, quite simply, the finest U.S. Type Set ever put together.

chugum - Barber Series Complete Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1892-1916)
Chugum’s current Barber set, while it hasn’t quite yet achieved the level of Steven Duckor’s former set, is so very close now. The set is composed almost exclusively of high eye-appeal MS-63s, and lacks only one coin to be 100% complete. Far and away the finest current set, we expect this set to inch higher in the future and become the best certified set ever assembled.

Subway Tokens - Commemoratives Complete Set, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1892-present)
We’re all familiar with the traditional 50 and 144-piece sets of U.S. commemoratives from 1892 to 1954, but here is a massive 398 piece set encompassing every U.S. commemorative issued to the present day! Lacking only the two $50 Pan Pacs, the balance of the set is simply superb, with a weighted GPA of 67.95. Including numerous “finest knowns,” this is an outstanding achievement, and leads the second place set by more than two full grade points.

High Desert - U.S. Half Cents & Cents Complete Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1793-present)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
Starting with a 1796 Half Cent in MS65+RB and an MS-69 Wreath Cent, and including an 1877 Indian Cent in MS-66RD, this set can only be described as phenomenal. Every cent from 1839 through 1850 is a pop one, with NONE higher. With a set rating of 65.62, it is not only the current finest set, but the finest all-time set, eclipsing ESM’s Hall of Fame set from previous years. Of the 253 Lincoln cents, 206 are graded MS67RD or better. Jaw-dropping quality!

Sonoran Monsoon - U.S. Dollars Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1794-present)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
The size and scope of a complete set of U.S. dollar coins including major varieties boggles the mind. There are over 234 coins just in the Sacagawea and Presidential Dollars alone! Not to mention the Bust, Seated, Morgan and Peace dollars. With a total of 511 coins, this set is 99.61% complete, lacking only the 1794 and 1870-S. Sonoran Monsoon’s dollar set has dominated the Registry since 2007, and is not only the finest current set, but the finest of all time, leading the set rating score by over 20 points! Kudos on the fourth gold award and for undertaking and having virtually completed such a monumental set.

ESM - Half Cents with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1793-1857)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
ESM’s Half Cent collection is 100% complete, (including the 1796 No Pole, 1797 Gripped Edge and the 1802/0, Rev of 1800) and is one of only three sets to ever achieve completion. The 1793 is a choice MS63BN example, and the tough 1796 With Pole is a choice AU55. The later dates (1825-1857) contain nine “finest-knowns.” Our congratulations on a well-deserved Gold!

High Desert - Large Cents with Major Varieties (With the four Ultra Rarities), Circulation Strikes (1793-1814)
(Note that the award includes the 2 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.)
Featuring the finest certified Reeded Edge 1795, as well as the famed Strawberry Leaf Wreath, one of the finest 1794 Starred Reverses, and both the plain edge and lettered edge “Jefferson Head” cents, the completion of this 67 piece variety set of early copper in any grade is formidable. With a set rating of almost 48, it is nearly impossible. It’s not just a factor of money. Many of these ultra rarities show up only a few times per decade, if that.

ESM - Large Cents with Major Varieties (With the four Ultra Rarities), Circulation Strikes and Proof (1793-1857)
(Note that the award includes the 2 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.)
While a complete collection of Large Cents in MS and Proof would be a major undertaking, when it includes the 1793 Strawberry Leaf Wreath Cent, the 1794 Starred Reverse, the 1795 Reeded Edge and both 1795 Jefferson Head Cents, all you can say is “wow.” The few “missing” coins are Coronet Proofs, which turn up say… about two or three times per century. With pedigrees from the Norweb, Eliasberg, Parmelee and Garrett collections, it doesn’t get much better than this.

How about starting off with a 100% complete set of Indian cents, with varieties, in an average grade of 67.48? If this is a start, where does it finish? Thirty-four coins in this set are already un-improvable. Over 81% of the coins are Red! Kudos to “The Castle Collection.” A well deserved fifth award and a PCGS Set Registry Hall of Fame entrant in 2012!
TDP (tompet38) - Three Cent Nickels with Major Varieties, Proof (1865-1889)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
While this set contains no prohibitive rarities in terms of dates, it is the phenomenal quality of this set that sets it apart. Of the twenty-six issues in the set, an astonishing twenty-one of them are unimprovable! With a set rating of 68.06, it looks more like a set of Presidential Dollars than 125-150 year old coins. It is truly quality like this that exemplifies what the Set Registry is all about.Simpson -Three Cent Silvers with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1851-1872)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
A new player four years ago, and we cannot recall a more auspicious entry! The Simpson Collections amaze. The very tough 3 Cent Silver Pieces are represented by an astonishing group that includes no fewer than 18 pieces in MS67 or higher with 20 finest-knowns (out of 24 coins!) Despite their small size, these coins are breathtaking jewels in this condition. A fifth Gold Star award for this collecting tour-de-force.

This set was purchased intact four years ago, and now receives its sixth award because the new owner continues to upgrade. It is 100% complete and has a set rating of 66.96. At the threshold of perfection.

Greenbrier River Collection - Shield Nickels with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1866-1883)
(Note that the award includes the 4 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.)
A blue star award winner last year, we proudly welcome this set to the gold star club this year. While it lacks the 1866 Repunched date, the balance of the set boasts a 66.79 GPA, and nearly half the coins are finest knowns. The finest Shield Nickel set assembled, and more than six points ahead of the runner-up.KCV Collection - Liberty Nickels Basic Set, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1883-1912)
As Liberty Nickel sets go, they don’t come much better. While this Basic set of course excludes the 1913, this set is complete with both Mint State and Proofs, and with a GPA of 66.7, ranks as the finest Liberty Nickel set of all time. We congratulate Kurt on his fourth Set Registry award and his second gold.

The Gately Collection - Buffalo Nickels with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1913-1938)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
The Gately Collection of Buffalo Nickels is a most impressive accomplishment, featuring the finest known 1914-S, 1917-D and 1927-S. More impressive, might even be the fact that 40 of the 71 coins sit at the top of the population, which for a series such as Buffalo nickels is no mean feat. This set continues to improve each year. Our congratulations on a third Gold Star, and seventh consecutive win in the category. Needless to say, this set is 100% complete and boasts a set rating of 66.14
KDM - Capped Bust Half Dimes Variety Set by Logan-McCloskey Numbers, Circulation Strikes (1829-1837)
A past winner in 2011, 12, & 13 KDM’s set continues to lead the category. This set not only achieves the highest set ranking with an average grade of 59.96 but it does so while selecting only exquisitely toned and original coins. With many pieces in Choice AU this set has the look and feel that many aspire to.

Simpson - Liberty Seated Half Dimes with Major Varieties & 1870-S, Circulation Strikes (1837-1873)(Note that the award includes the 2 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.)
Simpson’s entry into the set registry four years ago made quite a splash, and with sets like this, it’s no surprise. A 100% complete set of Seated Half Dimes, with major varieties and the unique 1870-S, with a rating of 65.27 including no fewer than 41 “top pops.” Tell me that’s not tough to do! Kudos on the fifth consecutive Gold Star award.

(Note that the award includes the 2 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.)

Achieving 100% completeness with an average grade of 58.80 while only adding original beautifully toned coins is quite the accomplishment for a set dated 1809 – 1837! This set is ranked #1 and includes several finest known coins. It is the all-time finest even though the owner selects only those coins that fulfilled his criteria of originality and eye appeal. This set is a winner in both 2013 and 2014 and remains an ongoing project.

Simpson -Barber Dimes with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1892-1916)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
Mr. Simpson’s set of Barber Dimes is the Number One Finest Set of All Time, narrowly eclipsing the previous longtime champion, the Law Collection. Mr. Simpson’s set shows 53 of the 76 coins with a “0” in the “Pop Higher” column while 45 of the coins are graded MS67 or higher! A fifth Gold Star award for a tremendous collecting effort.

cmcnutt - Mercury Dimes FB with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1916-1945)
(Note that the award includes the 2 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.)
Few sets in the Registry are more popular than the Mercury Dime set. And sitting atop the list is the current reigning champion Cmcnutt. When discussing sets so close to perfection, one often runs short of superlatives. Suffice to say that the set is 100% complete, with 100% full bands, and a set rating of 68.88. Over half of the 80 coins in the set are top pops, and only seventeen coins grade below MS67FB. Congratulations on both an exemplary set and a first gold star.

Driftwood - Twenty Cents with 76-CC, Circulation Strikes (1875-1876)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
The addition of the 1876-CC 20 Cent piece last year turns this from a very nice set of four coins into a monster, five-piece set. Every coin is a Gem and the 1876-CC (MS66), from the Norweb collection, is one of the two finest examples graded thus far by PCGS. This is the eighth Best Classic award for this set.

Perfection 3 - Liberty Seated Quarters, Proof (1858-1891)
This new addition to the Gold Star club recently captured the coveted “All Time Finest” title from the previous holder, the Greenwich Collection, beating it by a mere .14 points. This set is awe-inspiring in quality, with a set rating of 67.05 – again, a number normally seen for modern sets, not sets of 150-year-old coins. 22 of the 35 coins are top pops, and nearly all are cameos or deep cameos.

The Ohio Collector - Standing Liberty FH Quarters Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1916-1930)
With a set rating of 67.91 in a tough and beautifully-designed series, 97% (all but one) of the coins sport full heads and a third of the coins are top pops with none higher. Two thirds of the coins grade MS67FH or better and we offer our congratulations on a repeat Gold Star award.

Mitchell J. Spivack (Wondercoin) - Washington Quarters with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1932-Present)
(Note that the award includes the 3 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.)
While a complete date and mintmark set of Washington Quarters in 67.25 is tough enough, when you add in the five Double Die Obverses and the two 1950 over-mintmarks, the task becomes immeasurably tougher. Replete with “finest knowns” Mitch’s effort is unlikely to be repeated or even approached, anytime soon. Congratulations on another Gold Star award and inclusion in the PCGS Set Registry Hall of Fame.

Don "myster" Peters - Washington Quarters with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1932-Present)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
Washington Quarters have always been a very popular coin series. Competition in this series is always intense. Donmyster has successfully built a large and impressive set of both circulation strike and proof Washington Quarters. The set is almost 100% complete and it’s only missing the 1943 Doubled Die Obverse FS-103. Otherwise it’s a magnificent set and glad the owner decided to share it with us this year.

Brian Ray (The Buckeye Collection) - Washington Quarters Basic Set, Proof (1936-1998)
The Buckeye Collection has acquired some really high end examples of Proof Washington Quarters from 1936-1998. Some of the first Poof Washington Quarter have always proved to be difficult to obtain especially in high grades. This set even has a 1954 in PR68DC+ with a population of 1 and none being graded higher. If you haven’t opened this set, please take a look at it and be blown away by some of the high end coins in the set. Dale Friend - Early Half Dollars Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1794-1839)
Let’s make it 11 years running that this collection has sat on top of this category. With grades running from AU50 for the key 1796 & 97 dates all the way to include an incredible 8 coins in MS66 this set includes several finest known examples of the date. A long time labor of love this set continues to stand out as second only to the Eliasberg collection as the all-time finest!

Link's - Capped Bust Half Dollars by Overton All Varieties and Die States, Circulation Strikes (1807-1836)
(Note that the award includes the 5 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.)
This set receives our highest honor this year with its induction into the PCGS Set Registry Hall of Fame. With a daunting 610 coins needed for completion this set this set achieves an incredible 97.05% completeness with an amazing grade average of 58.95! The set includes both die states of the very rare 1817/4 including the finest known example. The commitment needed to assemble a set of this magnitude is very impressive and serves as an example of one of the most difficult challenges in U.S. Coin collections. Chuck is a true CBH nut! His passion and commitment are amazing. As great as his collection is he isn't done yet and has more surprises in store for us!

Southcountry Collection - Liberty Seated Half Dollars with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1839-1891)
(Note that the award includes the 2 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.)
As a past winner in 2013 this set repeats again this year. The collection is challenging with 126 pieces required. At a 96.03% completion with an average grade of 46.55 this set ranks as the #1 all-time set in this category. With a wide range of grades and most of the key date holes filled this set is actively closing in on completion.

Dr. and Mrs. Peter K. Shireman Collection - Barber Half Dollars with Complete Variety Set, Circulation Strikes (1892-1915)
(Note that the award includes the 3 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.)
This set has ranked #1 for five years running. It includes the very rare 1892 Micro O in gem MS65 as well as an incredible 17 coins in MS67 or better! The photographs are a treasure to view. Dr. Shireman’s descriptive comments on each coin reveal his joy of collecting and his devotion to the collection.

LULU Gem Walker Set - Walking Liberty Half Dollars Short Set, Circulation Strikes (1941-1947)
As a multi-year winner this set continues to remain on top. It’s no wonder with over half of the coins (12 out of 20 to be exact) ranking as the finest known including 2 pop 1 coin. The average grade is 67.31. This set continues as a wonderful example of this popular and gorgeous design.

Tradedollarnut (Bruce Morelan Collection of Early Dollars) - Early Dollars Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1794-1803)
Bruce’s set starts off with the incredible SP66 1794 $1. It continues with a total of 11 out of the 12 coins ranked as finest known (9) or tied for the finest known (3). The set boasts an incredible average grade of 64.73. Assembling and preserving such an inspiring group of these historical works of art is not only a great accomplishment but is a true service for future generations of numismatists.

Anonymous -Early Dollars with Major Varieties and Silver Plug, Circulation Strikes (1794-1803) (Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
This is an amazing new set this year. It contains well matched examples of this difficult series and has been carefully assembled in very high condition. The set includes a 1794 in XF, a silver plug 1795, the finest known 1797 9x7 Large Stars and even the finest known 1798 Small Eagle 15 Stars in MS62+. Well matched for grade the set comes in with an average grade of 53.93. The set is accompanied by beautiful photographs of each coin, so while we may not own it we can all enjoy it!

Perfection 10 - Liberty Seated Dollars Basic Set, Proof (1858-1873)
Mr. Perfection states that Seated Dollars are his favorite registry set. These iconic American coins are “simply beautiful.” They are not widely collected due to their cost. This set contains four coins that have no higher examples. Many Seated Dollars come dark. Mr. Perfection has passed over these even at higher grades in favor of toned coins where the colors are easily seen. He is trying to replace the lone DCAM in this set due to his belief that top Seated Dollars should be original and toned.

Tradedollarnut - Trade Dollars Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1873-1878)
As far as unbeatable sets go, we believe this one must certainly take the grand prize. Are you ready for this? Of the seventeen coins in this set, fourteen are pop 1, with none higher! Finest knowns, bar none. Two of the others are pop 2, with none finer! While our set registry contains some incredible sets, we don’t think any can top these statistics. A Hall of Fame Set, and recipient of a fourth Gold Star.

LeviRanchSet - Morgan Dollars Prooflike Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1878-1921)
Morgan Dollar sets surely are among the most popular in the Registry. With DT Miller’s set by Ashmore having been “promoted” to Platinum status, the close runner up is now the LeviRanchSet, less than a half point behind! 73 of the 97 coins grade MS65 or higher, with over 85% being DMPL’s. Our congrats on a well-deserved first Gold Star.

David T. Miller and C. Ash Harrison (DT Miller by Ashmore) - Morgan Dollars Super Set, Circulation Strikes (1878-1921)
Here’s an amazing set accomplishment. The 328-piece set includes all the major “named” VAM varieties, including no fewer than 96 dated 1878! Miller/Ashmore has managed to acquire 99.09% of the required coins, and currently boasts a weighted GPA of 61.59. A Gold Star winner for 2013, we are happy to award another for 2014.

Dr. & Mrs. Steven L. Duckor - One Dollar Gold Date Set of Circulation Strikes 1849-1889
Another new award winner last year, just a look at the owner’s name will tell you it is something very special. How about a completion of 100% and a Set Rating of 67.09! Steven Duckor has brought us a set that will serve as a reference for years to come. Not only is this far and away the best Current set, but is also the finest set of all time. Over half of the coins are “0 pop higher” and all but five coins are MS66 or better, with seventeen MS68s or better! Quality like this is very rarely seen.

The South Texas Collection - $3 Gold No 1870-S Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1854-1889)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
It’s not often you encounter a set where almost every coin in it is considered rare. But when it comes to $3 Gold Pieces, where only four of the forty coins had an original mintage over 35,000 pieces, very few can be considered common. With the Great Lakes Set now Platinum, it is the turn of the South Texas Collection to shine. It is 100% complete, and has some upgrade potential. We expect great things from this set in the years to come.

Simpson - Indian Head $5 Gold, Circulation Strikes (1908-1929)
Like Simpson’s other sets, this one is amazing as well. With fully third of the coins absolute finest knowns and a Set Rating of 66.28, it is the current finest by a wide margin. Half the coins in the set though do have some upgrade potential, so we hope that before long, this set will rank as the All Time Finest. It now trails that title by only a miniscule .04 grade point. A well-earned second Gold Star and fifth consecutive win in the category.

AWA Collection - Liberty Head $20 Gold with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1850-1907)
(Note that the award includes the 2 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.)
At almost 98% complete, this phenomenal set has been decades in the making and ranks as the finest ever assembled. In 2009, PCGS had the pleasure of examining and certifying this set, in preparation for inclusion in the PCGS Registry. To say it was one of the highlights of our numismatic careers was an understatement. There are so many "Finest Knowns" and Top Pops in this set that it defies description. Between the 1850-O and the 1855-S, there is a total of ONE coin PCGS has graded higher than the pieces shown in the set. For a real numismatic treat, check out the images that accompany each of the set composition listings. Almost all the coins possess gorgeous original color and surfaces. Its fifth Best Classic award, and more to come.

Simpson - St. Gaudens $20 Gold with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1907-1932)
The addition of the Simpson sets was a major highlight of the Set Registry in 2010, and this Saint Gaudens set explains why. It is 100% complete, and boasts a Set Rating of 66.12 including a 27-D in MS66, a 20-S in MS65, a 30-S in MS66+, a 31-P in MS66 and a 29-P in MS66+. We could go on, but you get the idea. Like his other sets, Simpson has generously shared photographs of his coins, and we encourage you to have a look for yourself at what a GEM set of Saint’s looks like. Well deserving of its fifth consecutive Gold Star award.

Great Basin Collection - Carson City Gold Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1870-1893)
After seven consecutive Blue Star awards, the Great Basin Collection of CC gold finally gets its well-deserved Gold Star. Lacking only the prohibitively rare 1870-CC $20, the balance of the set grades a nice AU, which for CC gold, is plenty good! Like a few other collections, this one does have some upgrade potential, and we’re hoping this Gold Star award provides further motivation to continue work on this outstanding set.

Best Modern Sets of 2014

Mitchell J. Spivack (Wondercoin) - Top 100 Modern Coins
This set has some of the best if not the best coins in the modern era. There are a number of coins in this set that many collectors have dreamed of such as the 1969-S Double Die Lincoln Cent, the No S Proof coins, the Cheerios Dollar, the Wisconsin Extra leaf quarters, the mysterious 1964 Special Mint Sets and numerous popular Doubled Die coins. This set is one of the most exciting sets, if not the most exiting set, that a collector can build in the modern era category. Mitch has done an exemplary job.

High Desert - Modern Type Set, Circulation Strikes (1950-present)
High Desert has obtained some very difficult coins in almost impossible grades. Such as a circulation strike 1956 Washington Quarter in MS68 condition. How is it even possible to find a circulation strike coin in such high condition that’s over 50 years old? Very impressive to say the least!

Goldminer's Collection -U.S. Gold Complete Modern Set, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1980-present)
What a great way to build a set of some very scarce Gold Medals and Commemoratives that honor special events or significant individuals. Most of the coins in Goldminer’s Collection are graded perfect MS70 condition with no room for improvement. Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing such a nice set!

Hot Chick Collection - Collectors Mint Set, Circulation Strikes (1970-2000)
Hot Chick has done a great job in building a nice array of coins representing coins from Special Mint Sets. Many individuals sometimes wonder why they can’t find a 1970-D Kennedy half in circulation. That’s because they were only issued in these Special Mint Sets so finding any example in high grades is almost impossible unless you go through many sets. Congratulations on finding some great coins from very exciting mint sets and displaying them all in this one set.

The Corso Collection - Jefferson Nickels FS with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1938-present)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
The Corso Collection continues to dominate in this category, remaining in the top spot for over a decade! The owner should take pride in orchestrating such a significant set of Jefferson Nickels. Almost every coin has been imaged and displayed very elegantly in his set. Many of the coins are the finest in existence for circulating Jefferson Nickels with Full Steps. We are thrilled to recognize this set for another year.

High Desert - Jefferson Nickels FS with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1938-1964)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
What a beautiful montage of some of the best Jefferson Nickels that exist and they are all in this one set. There are numerous Pop 1 coins with none being finer in the High Desert Collection. Although the set is closed from public view, when this collector decides to open it up, the viewer will be treated with high quality images for every single coin.

Ray Overby - Jefferson Nickels FS with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1965-present)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
Ray Overby’s set contains many single finest examples of post-1964 Circulation Strike Jefferson Nickels. 80 of the coins in the set are “Top Pops” and of these coins a number of them have a population of one with none graded finer. This is a very impressive set of Jefferson Nickels with the Full Steps designation.

Steve Strom - Jefferson Nickels FS Complete Variety Set, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1938-Present)
Now for the fourth year in a row, Steve has remained in the number one spot. He has assembled a high grade set with more than 30 different varieties. Some of the varieties have single digit populations with none finer. The owner of the set has showed a lot of dedication, as he has made several of the varieties and upgrades himself. Last year the set was missing only one elusive variety. This year, the set is complete.

Almighty Dimes - Roosevelt Dimes FB with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1946-Present)
(Note that the award includes the 2 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.)
This is a remarkable set and what a great way to represent the Roosevelt Dime series. This set is comprised of some of the finest examples that exist for Roosevelt Dimes. For example, it has the 1948-S, 1951-P, 1961-D and 1966P in MS68FB condition, all Pop 1 and none finer. Just a breathtaking set!

MGM Collection - Roosevelt Dimes Basic Set, Proof (1950-present)
For several years this set has won a Best Modern Set award. With an improved Deep Cameo designation of 93.02%, the set continues to dominate in the category. Nearly every coin is a “Top Pop.” This set is uniformly beautiful.

EWP - Franklin Half Dollars FBL Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1948-1963)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
Franklin Half Dollars are very difficult to acquire in MS66 grades for many dates and mint marks. And, it’s very difficult in almost any grade with the FBL designation. The EWP Collection has built a spectacular set of high caliber circulation strike Franklin Half Dollars. Impressive examples are the 1948-D, 1952-S, 1954-P, in MS67FBL pop 1’s and none higher. Others are in MS67+ as pop 1’s with none higher. Thanks for giving us the privilege to judge this set this year!

Northcoast Franklin Collection - Franklin Half Dollars FBL Basic Set, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1948-1963)
Although Franklin Half Dollars are somewhat of a shorter set, it is one of the most challenging sets to complete in high grades. Mintages were low and many examples were melted and of the examples that survived, many were well circulated. Therefore, finding examples in high grade condition can be very challenging. This set contains many high end examples of a very tough series and worthy of including in this year’s winners.

Churchill Cameo Franklins - Franklin Half Dollars with Major Varieties, Proof (1950-1963)
Churchill please provide us your contact information so we can provide it to the Franklin Half Dollar Museum, if there is ever one created. Many of the coins in this set are worthy of representing the Proof Franklin Half Dollars series. For example, the 1956 Proof Franklin Half in PR68DC is the finest graded example with none being finer. Great job on building such a spectacular set!

Golden Gate - Franklin Half Dollars Complete Variety Set, Circulation Strikes (1948-1963)
The Franklin Half Dollar series has many varieties that it make the set challenging yet really fun to collect. Some varieties are very scarce especially in high grades. This set is 100% complete and some of the varieties are Pop 1 with none being finer. It’s going to be very difficult to improve this set. We look forward to revisit it next year and see if it’s improved even more!

PDShad - Kennedy Half Dollars Collection (1964-Present)Kennedy Half Dollars with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1964-Present)The PD Shad’s Complete JFK Collection is another set that continues to dominate year after year. Winning a major award since 2006 in the basic circulation strike and proof set, this year his combination major variety set tied the Platinum level Arcadia set at the time of the awards deadline. One look at the combination set and you can see why the judges continue to recognize this collector’s achievement. This is an extremely challenging set yet this collector continues to improve it, increasing his set rating every year. Is there still room for improvement? Yes, but not much!

Sonoran Monsoon - Eisenhower Dollars with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1971-1978)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
Did you know that some Eisenhower Dollars are even scarcer than some Morgan Dollars in high grades? It is very true indeed. Some Eisenhower Dollar don’t even exist in grades higher than MS66. The coins were just struck poorly, mishandled and circulated a lot. The set is 100% complete and has a lot of room for improvement but there are a few coins that are very scarce in high grades. Such as the 1971-S Silver in MS68 Pop 2/0, 1974-S Silver in MS69 Pop 3/0 and several others that this set was definitely worth being awarded this year.

Steve Palladino (The Brian Vaile Legacy Set) - Eisenhower Dollars Complete Variety Set, Proof (1971-1978)
Collecting Proof Eisenhower Dollars is very popular as it is a somewhat of a short set and most regular issued Proof coins are easily obtainable. There are however, several varieties in the Proof series that can be challenging to find. Some have very low populations despite being discovered years ago. The Brian Vaile Legacy Set has every single recognized PCGS variety, has images for every coin, and has explained the varieties. Overall, the set is really well presented.

Sonoran Monsoon -Susan B. Anthony Dollars with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1979-1981, 1999)(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
Although the Susan B. Anthony Dollar is a short set compared to most other U.S. coin sets, this set cannot be taken lightly. The Sonoran Monsoon Set of Susan B. Anthony Dollars contains several of the finest Susan B. Anthony Dollars from circulation. This includes the first year of issue, the 1979-P in PCGS MS68 Pop 1 with none being finer. Imagine the first year the coins were struck. The public was excited about the new coins with tens of millions of them going into circulation. The finest first year issue in existence now resides in this set. Simply amazing to say the least!

PLP Family Trust - Sacagawea Dollars with Basic Set, Circulation Strikes and Proof (2000-present)
This year, PLP Family Trust tied the award winning Brandywine Basic set to win its first gold. It is very difficult to improve this set. Only the 2010-D and the 2012-P Native American Dollars have higher graded populations. Otherwise all coins are top Pops for the series and no improvement can be made on the remainder of the set. Great set and congratulations on getting an award this year!

Brandywine Sacagawea Collection - Sacagawea Dollars with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes and Proof (2000-present)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
Winning gold for the second year in a row, this set is 100% complete and almost every single coin has an image displayed. The set contains all mint state coins, proof coins and including the Satin Finish coins. Many of the coins have single digit populations with none being finer.

Sonoran Monsoon - Sacagawea Dollars Complete Set with Edge Errors, Circulation Strikes (2000-present)
This set looks visually appealing with all the different TrueView photos displaying most coins in the set. Although this is somewhat of a short and newer series, it is very challenging. The coins have different positions on the edge lettering requiring examples of each date and mint mark in both edge Positions of A and B. Additionally, there are several edge lettering varieties making it much more difficult to build this set, but Sonoran Monsoon has done a wonderful job. Thanks for sharing such a great set!

Sonoran Monsoon - Presidential Dollars Complete Set with Edge Errors, Circulation Strikes (2007-2016)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
This set has many of the coins TrueViewed allowing viewers to look at the great quality of each coin. The owner also has notes for each coin giving viewers more information on each coin. Look forward to seeing this set next year and with new additions.

Ikes777 Collection - Silver & Gold Eagles Complete Set, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1986-present)
(Note that the award includes the 2 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.)
A very nice set. Ikes77 posted images of each coin in its PCGS holder which makes adds a uniform appearance. Many of the coins are in Perfect 70 condition having no room for improvement. It is also 100% complete and a very fun set to build. Congratulations on building an award winning set this year!

Best Mint and Proof Sets of 2014

High Desert - 1793 Mint Set
Yes, it’s a small set with only four coins. But what four coins! The 1793 Half Cent, and the Chain, Wreath and Cap cents of 1793. Both the Wreath and Cap cent are the finest knowns, and the only one finer Chain and ’93 Half Cent are extant. Most collectors would consider any one of these coins, in nearly any grade, as a centerpiece of their collection. Here is a set of all four with a weighted GPA of 64.6! A well-earned Gold Star.

How about an 1881 Proof Set with Gold, in an average grade of 67.68? Palmetto Galleries has assembled just such a set, and every coin but three is at the top of the pop charts. Six are pop ones, with none finer. With fourteen coins, this is one of the more challenging mint sets to complete and Larry has done it in exemplary fashion. Congratulations on an outstanding set and a fifth Gold Star award.

Paul Covey (psc) - 1968-Present Mint Set with Major Varieties
This set is definitely being built the old fashioned way, which is the hard way, but the right way. It has 99.41% completion yet it contains many examples in some of the highest grades possible. It has most coins from 1950 to date from every single mint. Definitely a lot of patience, hard work and talent has been put into this tough set. Congratulations on building a very worthwhile set.

ErasmusHall - 1968-Present Proof Set
Erasmus Hall is no stranger in the world of coin collecting as he has continued to build some amazing sets over the years. This year is no different and his 1968-Present Proof Set showcases some of the great coins he has acquired. In past years, this collector has won gold for his 1936-Present Mint Set. This year we're honoring his proof set.

This small, but important, set contains some of the rarest, most interesting coins in American numismatics. Besides being complete, this set contains nice, high-grade Mormon Gold, including a Finest Known 1850 $5 and the uber-rare Mormon $20. This set is an example of what can be accomplished by a serious specialist.

The Oregon Collection - California Fractional Gold - Complete Collection, Period One & Two
This is a massive collection that, when complete, will contain 562 coins. This year , the set rose to 68.51% completion with a weighted GPA of 61.829. No other set (in the PCGS Set Registry, of course) is better or more complete with the exception of the Jay Roe Collection, which was broken up in 2003. No other set comes anywhere close today. This set has a great future.

Sixth Army Collection - Philippines Complete Classic Set, Circulation Strikes (1903-1945)
The coins of the U.S. Philippines enjoy a broad, enthusiastic collector base. The Sixth Army set is one of two complete collections in this category, but this one is slightly better with a weighted GPA of 64.13. What makes this set extra special is the large number of Top Pop coins.

The Mark Hagen Collection (boiler78) - Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents - Short Set (1858)In 1858, the U.S. Mint sold 12-piece sets of Small Cents that included 11 Flying Eagle and Indian Head patterns and a Proof regular issue "Flyer". Mr. Hagen’s is the finest of five complete sets listed in the PCGS Set Registry, but some of the competitive pressure is off since two of the sets have been retired. The presence of five unique Top Pops ensures this set’s dominant position.

Best Low Ball Sets of 2014

Dino's LB Liberty 5C - Liberty Nickels, Low Ball (1883-1912)
Low Ball collecting is not as easy as you might think. Dino started his set in 2008 and slowly began building a set which has now topped the number one award winning set. The GPA is 1.711. You can’t get much worse than that!

The Hollis Collection - Barber Half Dollars, Low Ball (1892-1915)Winning gold last year, this collector continues to impress us lowering GPA his from 4.42 to 4.38. How low can he go? Yes, there’s still room to achieve an even lower GPA and we fully expect to see even lower graded coins added to this set in the coming year.

Sourdough ("End of the Trail" VII) - Morgan Dollars Basic Set, Low Ball (1878-1921)(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
Morgan dollar low ball collecting is quite challenging and this collector has done a remarkable job of building his low ball collection. In fact, we are so impressed with his collection that we are taking it to the summer ANA so that fellow collectors can see the set in person. This collector keeps detailed records and tracks the history of every coin in his collection. Check out his set description. It will give you an idea of his dedication to find the best of the worst.

Johnny Goldsmith (Pocket Change) - Morgan Dollar Top 100 Vam Set, Low Ball (1878-1921)
Missing only the 1878 VAM 8 8/7 Ears and 1888-O VAM 1B Scarface, this collector has impressed us with his Low Ball VAM set. It’s very difficult to get Low Ball Morgan dollars graded, but to have them graded with the variety attribution adds another element of complexity. The GPA is a respectable 14.32, besting the number two ranked set by 6 points!

Best Everyman Sets of 2014

Liberty Headdress - Everyman Indian Cents (1859-1909)
Nice! Nice! Nice! Every coin an AU58 with a few pluses scattered throughout. This is a very competitive category. Last year this set was awarded “Best in the Registry” for reaching the number one slot in June, 2013. The owner has been battling with the number two set for the last year, but came out on top at the deadline. Great job!

Mi¢hael Hassler, Master Sergeant, USAF, Retired Combat Air Crew Member & Vietnam Veteran - Everyman Lincoln Cents (1909-1958)
Winning gold last year for this set, Michael continues to dominate in this category. His complete set has a rating of 58.03 which means that every coin is 58 with a plus thrown in for good measure. It’s just about as good as you can get in the Everyman category. Congratulations!

The James J. Gammalo, Sr. Memorial Collection - Everyman Buffalo Nickels (1913-1938)
There’s something to be said for consistency. This set is a straight AU58 across the board and as the owner says in his set description “finding a well-struck example of some of these coins is a daunting task to say the least.” Dedicated to his grandfather, a buffalo nickel collector, this collector has put together a beautiful Everyman Set worthy of recognition.

Joseph M. Wojteczko (Beancounter I) - Everyman Barber Dimes (1892-1916)Barber coins are very difficult to find in nice AU condition. It seems like all survivors are in either Good or Mint State condition, with very few in-between. Beancounter has done a great job of building a complete set of AU Barber dimes. Now with a set rating of 57.08, his coins are a consistent AU55 or AU58.

J. Dennis Kozimer (KozMc Mercs) - Everyman Mercury Dimes (1916-1945)
Only three coins in this set are not AU58, the 1916-D, 1930-S, and 1931-D. The set has been in the number one spot for the past two years and because the collector has continued to improve upon his set it and because in May, 2014 he achieved completion, it was time to recognize the accomplishment. Congratulations!

Long Beach AU FH Set - Everyman Standing Liberty Quarters (1916-1930)Winning gold for the fourth year in a row, this set is AU58 straight across the board. There’s something to be said for the uniformity in the Everyman category. The set continues to dominate. Great job!

Merrill Collection - Everyman Early Half Dollars (1794-1839)This is a really cool set of Half Dollars, including the elusive 1796 and 1797 dates. Though we call this an "Everyman" set, it's a pretty powerful one. This year, the owner has improved the GPA from an impressive 45.85 to 46.11. It takes a real collector to put together a set like this.

Tom Sears MD (Bustnut) - Everyman Capped Bust Half Dollars (1807-1839)
AU58s and AU58+s complete this wonderful set. Starting the set in early 2013, the collector was in first place by last year’s awards deadline with a 57.16 GPA. Consistently upgrading over the last year brought the set to a 58.03 at the 2014 deadline to win Gold, and today, the set sits at 58.04. You can’t get much better than that.

BarberNut - Everyman Barber Half Dollars (1892-1915)Since 2011 BarberNut has been slowly improving the coins in this set. At the end of 2012, he reached the number one spot with a GPA of 55.23. Last year the set had a GPA of 56.16. Today, the set is 57.36, a testament to this collector’s drive and passion to have the best set in the category. This is this collector’s second gold award.

Brad's Everyman Peace $'s - Everyman Peace Dollars (1921-1935)Brad’s Peace Dollar set tops the All-Time Finest list, besting two complete retired sets. Two years ago he achieved a nearly unbeatable GPA of 58.09. Today, the set’s GPA is 58.16 which means that there are now six coins graded 58+ in the set. The set is beautifully displayed with every coin imaged.

Best African Sets of 2014

Richard K. LeVan (beehammer 1) - Congo Gold, Proof (1965)
This set of Congolese gold coins includes all of the low-mintage coins from 1965. Reportedly, 70% of the original mintage was melted down, leaving very few examples for collectors. It’s a tough set with very little room for improvement.

Tom Mendenhall (Toms, Proof gold Kugerrands) - South African Krugerrand, Proof (1967-Present)The Kruggerrand was once the most important gold coin in the world. Millions of Mint State examples were sold to bullion buyers, but the smart buyers purchased the much rarer Proof versions. This collection was complete from 1967 to 2002, inclusive, and now includes coins from 2006 and 2007. Think about it—there are 38 ounces of gold in this set!

RW Israel Pruta Set - Israel Pruta Complete Set, Circulation Strikes (1949-1954)This is a great set which gives a good overview of regular issue Israeli coinage. Only three coins are missing, but those that are included are truly exceptional. Many of them are Top Pops and a couple are unique Top Pops. This is the second award for this deserving set.

The Durdik Family Trust -Japanese Gold Denomination Type Set (1870-1932)Japanese coins are very popular with collectors because of their scarcity and attractive (yet simple) designs. This set is complete but it is still possible to improve the overall GPA, so we’ll revisit it next year to see what changes have been made.

Kaizan and Raiden Collection - Japanese Mutsuhito 1 Yen, Circulation Strikes (1870-1912)The Japanese Yen of this era is a large, impressive silver coin that circulated widely and is difficult to locate in top condition. This set is 100% complete and has a weighted GPA of 57.923. This is the first award for this set and we look forward to future improvements.

Hetman - Kazakhstan Silver 500 Tenge, Proof (2000-present)This set caught our attention because of its size, the level of completion (100%) and the overall quality. All of these are low mintage coins. All but one of the coins in this set is a Top Pop and the GPA rose from last year to an amazing 69.154. The owner has done a great job of keeping up with new issues.

Hetman - Kyrgyzstan Silver 10 Som, Proof (1995-present)Kyrgyzstan is one of the several “-stan” countries that broke away from the Soviet Union. In 1995, they began issuing large 10 Som silver coins in Proof condition. In some years, one coin was issued; in others, as many as 10 different coins might have been issued. This set lacks the 1995 and 2013 issue, but every coin is a Top Pop.

J&D Fishman Collection - Palestine Complete Set, Circulation Strikes (1927-1946)
This set is a real collecting accomplishment. Besides being a large set and totally complete, many of the coins are Top Pops. Two of the coins are unique Top Pops and the set contains the rare 1931 100 Mils. This is the first award for this set and will probably be the first of many.

Caranett - Belgium Gold 20 Francs Date Set, Circulation Strikes (1865-1882)This is the fifth annual award for this impressive set. The Belgium 20 Franc has long been considered a bullion type coin, thus little attention was paid to collecting high grade examples. Every coin is a Top Pop except for the rare 1869, where only one coin is better.

Typetone - French 50 Centimes, Circulation Strikes (1897-1920)
The 50 Centimes is a small silver coin that received little attention from collectors when it circulated. This collection is relatively easy to assemble, but difficult to find in top condition. At 100% complete and with a weighted GPA of 63.894, this set is going to be hard to improve and nearly impossible to beat.

Caranett - French 20 Francs Gold Angel, Circulation Strikes (1871-1898)A wonderful set of 20 Francs from the last part of the 19th century. Many of these coins are difficult to locate in any grade, so achieving 100% completion is difficult and doing so with an overall GPA of 64.93 is an even greater feat. Congratulations!

Gray/Huber Dream Set - German States 3 Mark Type Set, Proof (1908-1918)This is a virtually complete set of 3 Marks from the German States, lacking only the ultra-rare Saxony ("Frederick the Wise"). The overall condition is simply amazing. Virtually every coin is either a Top Pop, an extreme rarity, or both. This is one of those sets that would be impossible to replicate, even with unlimited resources. No changes were made to this set over the past year, indicating the extreme difficulty in finding upgrades.

The Sheffield Collection XIV - German 1/2 Mark Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1905-1919)(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
Sheffield has done a great job over the past couple of years in building this set of German Half Marks. Sheffield’s underlying date set is 100% complete, but this set includes all of the dates and mints issued by Germany from 1905 to 1919. This set is now 92.4% complete with a weighted GPA of 64.90. We know the owner of this set and, as predicted, this set has gotten bigger and better every year.

Larry Gray – German 3 Reichsmark Commemoratives Date Set, Proof (1925-1932)
From the team who built the incredible Gray/Huber German States 3 Mark Type Set, Larry Gray has now attacked the 3 Mark Proofs from the Weimar Republic. In typical fashion, he sought out the finest available examples of each type. Last year, the set was complete and every coin except for two was a Top Pop. This year, it remains complete and all but one coin is a Top Pop. Impressive!

jhd2000 - German 5 Mark Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1951-1974)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
After World War II, Germans focused on getting their lives back together and rebuilding their country. As a result, they spent little time on coin collecting, especially on the common coins they used every day. As a result, it is very difficult to locate high-grade examples of these 5 Marks prior to 1965. This set is 100% complete with a weighted GPA of 60.6. We know the owner, who is a dedicated, aggressive collector who seeks out upgrade constantly, so this set will only be better over time. Great job!

Gene Maguire (Gene1865) - Irish 1/2 Crown Date Set with Mule, Circulation Strikes (1928-1967)(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
The luck of the Irish is evident in this 100% complete collection. These were the largest denomination issued by Ireland and each coin sports a horse and a harp (for those of you who are topical collectors). This year, the weighted GPA is 58.61.

Caranett - Italy 20 Lire, Circulation Strikes (1880-1897)Caranett has award winning sets in other World gold categories, so a great set like this is not unexpected. As with Caranett's French 20 Francs set, this one is hard to complete and difficult to find in top grades. This set won gold in the previous three years and, this year, it’s even better (the weighted GPA rose slightly to 64.03.

Caranett - Netherlands 10 Gulden, Circulation Strikes (1875-1889)
This is a short set of eleven coins issued between 1875 and 1889 inclusive. None of the coins is particularly rare, but the quality of this set is amazing. Every coin is a Top Pop, except one, and even that coin is only one point away from the highest grade. What a cool set.

rosswb - Russian Rouble Emperor Set (1689-1917)Russian Roubles are arguably the hottest coins in the planet, which means a lot of collectors compete for them and drive prices up. This set is 100% complete, begins in 1720 and ends in 1913, with every Russian emperor represented in between. This set is pure history. For tracking purposes, we’ll note that the weighted GPA is 48.56.

The Sheffield Collection XIX - Swiss 1/2 Silver Franc, Circulation Strikes (1850-1967)
This is a remarkable, 100% complete collection in super-high grade. This set is loaded with Top Pops and quite a few are unique for their grade. Assembling this collection was quite an accomplishment. Last year, we noted “The best just keeps getting better” and this year is no exception, as the weighted GPA moved up to 65.57.

Anteater Collection - Swiss 20 Gold Francs Complete Set, Circulation Strikes (1883-1949)Lots of gold in this set, thus the cost of attempting it limits the number of people who accept the challenge. Not so with Anteater, who has not only built a great set, but has been going after quality as well. There are several Top Pops in this set, including some unique Top Pops.

Rod Moore Schützenfest - Modern Thalers - Swiss Shooting Festival Commemoratives 50 Francs (1984-present)This set of Swiss "Shooters" reprises a tradition that began in the mid-1800s of celebrating shooting competitions. These are beautiful coins of very low mintage, made for sale to collectors. This set is complete and includes numerous Top Pops and unique condition-rarities. Overall GPA: an amazing 69.17, reflecting the continuous upgrading of this already impressive set.

Spencer Collection - Bermuda Hogge Set, Proof (1989-1990)This modern set consists of eight gold coins, each with a mintage of only 500 pieces. This set caught our eye again because the designs on the coin incorporate the rare Somers Island "Hogge" Money from Colonial times. 100% complete, with a GPA of 68.75.

Lantern Collection - Canadian Complete Cents Set with Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1858-2012)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
This is the complete run of Canadian Cents from 1858 to 1912, spanning the reigns of various kings and queens and illustrating the transition from the Large Cents to the small-size coins we know today. This is a big set of 164 coins. The completion is 96.95%, but even more impressive is the overall quality. This is the first gold award for a set that has ranked #1 since 2008.

Southern Cross - Newfoundland Complete Set, Circulation Strikes (1865-1947)This set, now 100% complete, is a tribute to perseverance and determination. It's also proof that you don't need a million dollars to put together a meaningful collection of coins. The owner continues to improve this set, and we see great things for it in the future.

Virginia Transplant - Cuban Complete First Republic Set, Circulation Strikes (1915-1961)This is an impressive, mid-sized set that reached 100% completion this year (congratulations!). Now comes the task of upgrading, which will be difficult because so many of the coins are already Top Pops. If America ever normalizes relations with Cuba, the value of this set will go through the roof.

FABG - Haitian Silver 10 Gourdes, Proof (1967-1971)This is a relatively short set, but it is 100% complete and has a GPA of 66.92. Every coin is a Top Pop, many of which are unique for the grade. We’re not sure of the connection, but Haiti was fascinated by American Indian leaders on their 1971 coins.

J.D. Foster Collection - Mexican Silver Cap and Ray Peso Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1918-1945)JD has done a fabulous job of assembling a top-notch collection of these standard silver Pesos. Considering that these were all made for circulation and not with any particular attention to quality, the 66.44 GPA of this set is simply amazing. According to the owner, this set was built over a 45 year period.

libertycoin (J.D. Foster Collection) - Mexican Gold 50 Pesos with Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1921-1947)
(Note that the award includes the 1 sub-set in this collection which is ranked #1.)
Each Mexican 50 Peso contains over one ounce of gold – they continue to be a favored coin among gold bullion buyers worldwide. The design is beautiful, the coins have a great heft and feel, and they are truly tough in top condition. This set is complete and has a weighted GPA of 65.35.

Antonio Dominguez (romanose05) - 1904 Panamanian Proof Set
A fantastically rare set of only four coins, each with a mintage of a mere 12 coins. According to the owner, this is the only complete set graded by PCGS.

Antonio Dominguez (romanose05) - 1962 Panamanian Proof SetIt is hard to believe that, in 1962, a modern Proof set with a mintage of only 25 could exist, yet here it is. This set is unimprovable. Every coin is a unique Top Pop!

Best Oceanic of 2014

Timbertop - Australian 1/2 Pennies Complete Set, Circulation Strikes (1911-1964)
(Note that the award includes the 3 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.) 100% complete. Considering the powerful condition-rarities in the early dates, it is hard to fathom how difficult this set was to complete. This is an amazing set that deserves a lot of praise (and awards). Based on the slight improvement in the weighted GPA, it is clear that the owner is continuing to lavish attention on this set.

Timbertop - Australian Pennies Complete Set, Circulation Strikes (1911-1964)
(Note that the award includes the 2 sub-sets in this collection which are ranked #1.) This is a monster set of coins that are either actual rarities, condition rarities, or both. Many of the coins have high catalog values, but the 1930 is the super-key date of this series. Ownership of that coin alone would make this a great set, but the fact that it is surrounded by so many significant coins, makes this a Top Registry Set.

Timbertop - Australian Fifty Cents Commemoratives, Circulation Strikes (1966-Present)
In the past year, the owner brought this set to 100% completion and actually improved the weighted GPA to 67.22. The challenge continues as new issues are added and new Top Pops are required for upgrades. But, we’re confident that this set will get better each year based on the commitment we’ve seen from Timbertop.

High Desert - U.S. Half Cents & Cents Complete Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1793-present)
Coin collecting in the U.S. began in the late 1850s with cents and half cents. So a set of these two denominations must surely be among the most revered and historic sets imaginable. Consisting of over 400 coins spanning more than 220 years, the size and breadth of this set is huge. Now, given all that, HighDesert has not only completed it, but in an average grade of more than 65.6! We could go on and on about the incredible condition rarities it contains, but suffice to say that exactly 60% of the coins are finest knowns, with none graded higher. An auspicious start to say the least.

Link's - Capped Bust Half Dollars by Overton All Varieties and Die States, Circulation Strikes (1807-1836)
This set receives our highest honor this year with its induction into the PCGS Set Registry Hall of Fame. With a daunting 610 coins needed for completion this set this set achieves an incredible 97.05% completeness with an amazing grade average of 58.95! The set includes both die states of the very rare 1817/4 including the finest known example. The commitment needed to assemble a set of this magnitude is very impressive and serves as an example of one of the most difficult challenges in U.S. Coin collections. Chuck is a true CBH nut! His passion and commitment are amazing. As great as his collection is he isn't done yet and has more surprises in store for us!

tradedollarnut (Bruce Morelan Collection of Early Dollars) - Early Dollars Basic Set with Overdates, Circulation Strikes (1794-1803)
One of the more spectacular new sets this year. One wonders how Bruce could top his Basic Early Dollar set, but he does with the addition of two overdates. The 1799/8 is a Top Pop in MS65 with an Eliasberg Pedigree. The 1802/1 is another Top Pop in MS64, pedigreed to Green-Newman. The set is missing only the 1802 but we have no doubt that this advanced collector will locate a specimen worthy of his discerning taste.

Anonymous - Early Dollars with Major Varieties and Silver Plug, Circulation Strikes (1794-1803)
This is another new set this year. It contains well matched examples of this difficult series and has been carefully assembled in very high condition. The set includes a 1794 in XF, a silver plug 1795, the finest known 1797 9x7 Large Stars and even the finest known 1798 Small Eagle 15 Stars in MS62+. Well matched for grade the set comes in with an average grade of 53.93. The set is accompanied by beautiful photographs of each coin, so while we may not own it we can all enjoy it!

Simpson - Trade Dollars, Proof (1873-1885)
Just as tradedollarnut’s Mint State set almost defies improvement, Simpson’s set of Proofs does the same. For one thing, it’s complete, including both the 1884 and 1885. For another, of the thirteen coins, only three could be improved. The set rating of 65.96 is limited only by the existing coins. The finest 1885 graded by PCGS is a 63+ and the finest 1873 is a 64+. (Both of which are in this set, by the way.) Imagine a display of these two sets together!

Coronet Collection - Morgan Dollars Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1878-1921)
Few if any series can compare in popularity to the Morgan Dollar, and therefore the entry of a new Morgan Dollar set that winds up at the top of the Current Finest list is epic to say the least. Yes, a new set that even tops the legendary California 1 collection, which earned eight consecutive Gold Stars, a Hall of Fame award and a Platinum award. So what is special about the Coronet collection? Oh, nothing much other than an 1886-O in MS65+, an 1892-S in MS67, a 1901-P in MS66, 58 of the 97 coins residing at the top of the population charts, sixteen coins from the legendary Jack Lee collection and five from Eliasberg. Oh, and did we mention an 1893-S in MS67? Just one more word….. wow.Goldminer's Collection - U.S. Gold Complete Modern Set, Circulation Strikes and Proof (1980-present)
What a great way to build a set of some very scarce Gold Medals and Commemoratives that honor special events or significant individuals. Most of the coins in Goldminer’s Collection are graded perfect MS70 condition with no room for improvement. Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing such a nice set!

Brian Ray (The Buckeye Collection) - Jefferson Nickels Basic Set, Proof (1938-1964)
Very little room to improve upon this set. Only the 1949 Type 2 and the 1963 Proof Jefferson Nickels can be improved. All other coins are Top Pops for the series with no room to go upwards. Great job on building an amazing set!

Almighty Dimes - Roosevelt Dimes FB with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1946-Present)
This is a remarkable set and what a great way to represent the Roosevelt Dime series. This set is comprised of some of the finest examples that exist for Roosevelt Dimes. For example, it has the 1948-S, 1951-P, 1961-D and 1966P in MS68FB condition, all Pop 1 and none finer. Just a breathtaking set!

Sourdough ("Déjà vu" V) - Morgan Dollars with Major Varieties, Low Ball (1878-1921)
Owned by the same collector who owns the award winning Basic Morgan dollar Low Ball set, this set includes all those hard-to-get-graded varieties. The set was registered in March and over the last couple of months has continued to “improve” reaching completion in May. We challenge any collector to best a nearly impossible GPA of 3.80.

Anonymous - Everyman Early Dollars (1794-1803)
Wow! Wow! Wow! This set burst on the scene a year ago with a complete set besting the number two set by 10 points. ‘Nuff said. The owner has also assembled an award winning 38-coin major variety Early Dollar set.

Lantern Collection - Canadian Coins Complete Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (1953 to date)
This is a massive, 461 coin set that would take years to assemble even in raw condition, let alone in PCGS-certified Top Pop condition. If you want to see what hard work and dedication can accomplish, take the time to peruse the list of coins in this impressive set.

Best Exhibited Sets of 2014

The Wind River Collection - New Orleans Complete Type Set, Circulation Strikes (1838-1909)
The Wind River Collection has been ranked number one since 2011. This collector wins gold this year because he has taken time to add a set description, add detailed and informative descriptions for every coin, and images for most coins in the set. His collection is complete and ranks above the Louis Eliasberg collection. Well done!

SWvdM - South African George VI Denomination Type Set, Proof (1937-1952)
One look at this set and you can tell this collector loves his coins. The set description contains a wonderful picture of the Royal family while visiting South Africa. Every coin is imaged with a detailed description. And, three coins in the 11-coin set are the single finest graded.

Libertas Americana through Time - Collectors Showcase Themed Coins
The Registry doesn’t have set compositions for every possible collection. The Collectors Showcase allows collectors to build and display a set that might not be mainstream. And, the Showcase hosts a number of wonderful concept sets. One of the best is the Libertas Americana through Time set. Here the collector has assembled a group of Libertas medals and related issues, many the single finest issue known. Beautiful and interesting.

Best of the Registry Winners of 2014

Collectors with the finest current set in each category with at a least 95% completion and in large set compositions those with 500 or more coins registered in one set, will receive a "Best of the Registry" icon by their set listings in the registry. Click here to view a list of those sets which were #1 and and at least 95% complete on 6/30/14 5pm EST (2pm PST).

Ten Year Anniversary Recipients

To celebrate collectors who have won awards for being number one in their category for at least ten years in a row, we recognize their sets with the 10 Year Anniversary icon. To these collectors, you have our thanks for your loyalty and friendship. We appreciate all you do for the PCGS Set Registry. To view a list of these award winning sets, please click here.